12 Days Rwanda and Uganda Safari
12 days · Gorilla treks in Rwanda and Uganda
About this safari
The trip runs from Kigali to Entebbe, or the other way round. Both directions work, and we choose based on your flights.
Across twelve days you track mountain gorillas twice, once in each country, and walk with golden monkeys in the Virunga foothills. You track chimpanzees in Kibale, cruise the Kazinga Channel past large numbers of hippos, and drive the Kasenyi plains looking for Queen Elizabeth's tree-climbing lions. The last stop is Ziwa Sanctuary, the only place in Uganda where you can see rhinos living in the wild.
In total you get two gorilla treks, a golden monkey trek, a chimp trek, two boat cruises and four national parks. We have ordered them to keep the driving days short and the border crossing simple. Gorilla permits are a major cost, and you will need two.
Day by day
Day 1: Arrive in Kigali
A guide meets you at Kigali International Airport and takes you to your hotel. You get a full briefing on the days ahead. Bed and breakfast.
Day 2: Kigali city tour, then Volcanoes National Park
A half-day tour covers the Kigali Genocide Memorial, the Nyamata Genocide Church and the local markets. In the afternoon you transfer to Volcanoes National Park. Full board.
Day 3: Gorilla trekking and a cultural visit
This is your first gorilla trek. After the briefing at park headquarters you hike to your assigned family and spend one hour with them.
In the evening you visit Ibwachu Cultural Village, where former poachers now work as guides. Full board.
Day 4: Golden monkey tracking, then Bwindi
You track golden monkeys in the morning, have an early lunch and then drive south to Bwindi Impenetrable Forest. Full board.
Day 5: Gorilla trekking in Bwindi
Today is your second gorilla trek. Which of Bwindi's four sectors you trek in depends on where your lodge is. Full board.
Day 6: Ishasha to Queen Elizabeth
Mid-morning, you do a game drive through Ishasha, searching for tree-climbing lions. You then continue to the northern sector of Queen Elizabeth National Park. Full board.
Day 7: Game drive and Kazinga Channel cruise
You drive across Kasenyi in the morning and take a boat cruise on the Kazinga Channel in the afternoon.
Day 8: Kasenda craters, then Kibale Forest
On the way you stop at the Top of the World viewpoint above the crater lakes. One of them, Lake Nyinambuga, appears on Uganda's 20,000-shilling note. Full board.
Day 9: Chimpanzee tracking and Bigodi Wetland walk
You track chimpanzees in the morning and walk through Bigodi Wetland in the afternoon. Full board.
Day 10: Transfer to Murchison Falls
Expect a 7 to 8 hour drive across the Albertine Escarpment and through the Bunyoro and Toro kingdoms. Full board.
Day 11: Game drive and launch cruise to the falls
The day starts with a game drive before dawn and a late breakfast. In the afternoon, a launch cruise of about 3 hours takes you to the foot of Murchison Falls. Full board.
Day 12: Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary and departure
You first stop at the top of the falls, then at Ziwa for a rhino walk. After that you drive to Entebbe through the Luweero Triangle. Breakfast and lunch are included.
Where you stay
These are the lodges we usually book for this route. If one is full on your dates, we will use a similar lodge nearby.
- Kigali: Scheba Hotel or ChezLando (budget); Heaven Boutique, Mille Collines or Lemigo (mid-range); Kigali Serena or The Retreat (luxury). Bed and breakfast.
- Volcanoes National Park: Le Bambou Gorilla Lodge or Davinci Lodge (budget); Mountain Gorilla View Lodge, Five Volcanoes Lodge or Ingagi Park View Lodge (mid-range); Bisate Lodge, One&Only Gorilla Nest, Bishop's House, Virunga Lodge or Sabinyo Lodge (luxury). Full board.
- Bwindi: Bakiga Lodge or Ichumbi Gorilla Lodge (budget); Buhoma Haven Lodge, Gorilla Safari Lodge or Engagi Lodge (mid-range); Mahogany Springs Lodge, Bwindi Lodge or Nkuringo Gorilla Lodge (luxury). Full board.
- Queen Elizabeth National Park and Ishasha: Enjojo Lodge or Ishasha Wilderness Camp. Full board.
- Kibale Forest: Kibale Guest Cottages (budget), Turaco Tree Tops (mid-range) or Primates Lodge (luxury). Full board.
- Murchison Falls: Pakuba Safari Lodge (budget); Nile Safari Lodge or Baker's Lodge (luxury). Full board.
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Ready to plan your safari?
Tell us your dates, group and what you want to see
You’ll get a route and a price back, not a template. Planned by the team in Kampala before you land in Entebbe.